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The connection of architectural vision and natural stone craftsmanship represents one of the most continuing partnerships in design, and natural stone has provided both the foundation and the finishing touch in the most remarkable structures. As we advance into 2026, the relationship between architects, designers, and natural stone professionals continues to evolve, driven by sustainability concerns, technological innovations, and an ever-growing appreciation for authentic materials in our built environment.
In 2025, tise, along with the Natural Stone Institute and IS.I.M. (International Marble Institute of Italy) held a comprehensive technical training program that revolutionized how professionals engage with stone industry technologies and expertise.
Photo courtesy Informa Markets, click to enlarge.
The program combined classroom lectures led by four senior experts in stone technology and architecture—both American and Italian specialists—with hands-on visits to sandstone quarries and processing facilities. Following the morning educational sessions and site visits, participants experienced a unique exhibition format: structured 12-minute booth visits designed to efficiently showcase the latest technological innovations and characteristics of both traditional and newly extracted stones.
For the second year in a row, tise 2026 presents an unprecedented opportunity for design professionals to deepen their understanding of natural stone through the comprehensive “Working with Natural Stone Workshop”. Developed in partnership with the Natural Stone Institute, this intensive three-day program promises to transform how participants approach stone selection, specification, and implementation in their projects.
Program Overview
The workshop represents more than just continuing education—it’s a masterclass in the complete lifecycle of natural stone projects. Unlike traditional seminars that focus on isolated aspects of stone work, this program takes participants on a journey from initial concept through final installation, ensuring they understand every critical phase of working with natural stone.
The program’s strength lies in its complete approach, combining technical expertise with design innovation. Participants will explore material selection strategies that balance aesthetic goals with practical considerations, delve into fabrication processes that can make or break a project’s success, and learn implementation strategies that ensure both visual impact and structural integrity. This thorough coverage addresses the real-world challenges that architects and designers face when specifying natural stone, providing solutions that can be immediately applied to current and future projects.
Photo courtesy Informa Markets
“This innovative educational model demonstrates how international collaboration can create more meaningful, efficient, and impactful learning experiences within the stone industry”, said Paolo Marone, Sr. Engineer, IS.I.M.
What sets this workshop apart is its emphasis on bridging the gap between creative vision and practical execution. This program specifically addresses these challenges, providing participants with the knowledge and tools needed to ensure their stone projects achieve both aesthetic excellence and long-term performance.
The following are just two of the opportunities that will be held during the workshop:
Sustainability at the Forefront
The workshop’s opening session on sustainability in natural stone reflects the industry’s growing commitment to environmental responsibility. As architects and designers increasingly prioritize sustainable design practices, understanding the environmental impact of material choices has become essential. Natural stone, as a material extracted directly from the earth, presents unique sustainability considerations that differ significantly from manufactured building materials.
This session will explore the complete environmental footprint of natural stone, from quarrying practices to transportation, fabrication, and end-of-life considerations. Participants will learn about innovative quarrying techniques that minimize environmental impact, discover how local sourcing can reduce transportation-related emissions, and understand how the longevity and recyclability of natural stone contribute to sustainable building practices.
This focus on sustainability isn’t merely about compliance with green building standards—it’s about understanding how thoughtful stone selection and specification can contribute to projects that are both environmentally responsible and economically viable over their entire lifecycle. The session will provide practical tools for evaluating the sustainability credentials of different stone options, helping participants make informed decisions that align with their projects’ environmental goals.
Photo courtesy Informa Markets
Learning from Excellence: Award-Winning Case Studies
The workshop’s case study sessions represent one of its most valuable components, offering participants the opportunity to learn from three award-winning natural stone projects. These aren’t theoretical examples—they’re real-world successes that demonstrate how creative vision, technical expertise, and careful planning can combine to create exceptional results.
Each case study will be presented by the architects, designers, or fabricators who brought these projects to life, providing insider perspectives on the challenges faced and solutions developed. Participants will gain insights into the decision-making processes that guided material selection, learn about fabrication techniques that enabled these designs, and understand how collaboration between design professionals and stone specialists contributed to project success.
These case studies serve multiple purposes within the workshop structure. They provide concrete examples of best practices in action, demonstrate the potential for creative problem-solving when challenges arise, and illustrate how different approaches to stone specification can achieve dramatically different results. By examining both the successes and the obstacles overcome in these projects, participants will develop a more nuanced understanding of what it takes to execute exceptional natural stone installations.
Hands-On Learning: The Show Floor Experience
The guided show floor tour represents a unique opportunity for workshop participants to see the latest innovations in natural stone technology and materials. This isn’t a casual walk through the exhibit hall—it’s a curated experience designed by Paolo Marone, to showcase cutting-edge developments that are shaping the future of the industry.
Participants will have direct access to exhibitors who are pioneering new approaches to stone extraction, fabrication, and installation. They’ll see advanced machinery that enables more precise cutting and shaping, discover new finishing techniques that expand design possibilities, and learn about innovative installation systems that can reduce project timelines and costs.
The tour also provides opportunities to examine new stone varieties and finishes that may not be widely known in the design community. As global stone sourcing continues to expand, new materials are constantly entering the market, each with unique properties and aesthetic characteristics. The show floor tour ensures that participants are aware of these new options and understand how they might be incorporated into future projects.
Perhaps most importantly, the tour facilitates direct connections between design professionals and stone industry specialists. These relationships often prove invaluable when working on complex projects, providing access to expertise and resources that can make the difference between project success and failure.
Photo courtesy Informa Markets
Exclusive Access: The Las Vegas Rock Quarry Tour
The optional quarry tour at Las Vegas Rock provides an experience that few architects and designers ever have the opportunity to enjoy: seeing natural stone in its original environment and understanding the extraction and selection processes that bring it to market. This hands-on exposure to stone sourcing provides insights that simply cannot be gained through catalogs, samples, or showroom visits.
Participants will observe quarrying operations firsthand, learning about the geological factors that influence stone quality and appearance. They’ll understand how blocks are selected and extracted, see how natural variations in the stone are evaluated and categorized, and gain appreciation for the skill and expertise required to identify the best materials for specific applications.
“Not only does this experience provide a deeper appreciation and understanding for natural stone, it also gives a chance for participants to connect in an informal, off-site environment with each other and instructors alike”, said Rachel Lesczynski, Conference Manager for tise.
The insights gained during the quarry tour frequently influence how participants approach stone selection in future projects, leading to more informed decisions and better project outcomes.
Professional Development and Continuing Education
The workshop’s availability of continuing education credits reflects its comprehensive educational value and professional relevance. For architects and designers who must maintain professional certifications, the program provides an efficient way to fulfill continuing education requirements while gaining practical knowledge that directly applies to their work.
The program’s structure ensures that participants receive education that meets the highest professional standards. The combination of technical content, case study analysis, and hands-on experiences provides a well-rounded educational experience that addresses multiple learning styles and professional needs.
Beyond formal continuing education credits, the workshop provides networking opportunities that can prove invaluable for professional development. The concentrated gathering of architects, designers, and stone industry professionals creates an environment where significant professional relationships can be formed and existing relationships can be strengthened.
Modest Investment, Major Returns
At $99 for the complete three-day program, the workshop represents exceptional value for the depth and breadth of education provided. This investment includes all sessions, materials, refreshments and two meals, the guided show floor tour, and access to the exclusive networking events. For professionals who regularly work with natural stone or who are looking to expand their expertise in this area, the knowledge gained and connections made during the workshop can easily justify the modest registration fee many times over.
The separate registration requirement ensures that participants are committed to the full educational experience and helps maintain the program’s intimate, focused atmosphere. This approach allows for more meaningful interactions between participants and presenters and ensures that the content can be tailored to the specific interests and needs of the attending professionals.
Looking Forward: The Future of Natural Stone in Design
As the design industry continues to evolve, natural stone remains a constant—a material that connects us to the earth while enabling the creation of spaces that inspire and endure. The tise 2026 Working with Natural Stone Workshop represents an investment in understanding this timeless material in contemporary contexts, ensuring that participants are prepared to specify and work with natural stone effectively in a industry landscape that is constantly changing.
The program scheduled for January 27-29, 2026, promises to be more than just continuing education—it’s an opportunity to join a community of professionals who understand and appreciate the unique qualities that natural stone brings to the built environment. In an industry where knowledge, relationships, and expertise make the difference between good projects and exceptional ones, you have the chance to join in this professional development opportunity that will pay dividends throughout your career.
How to Register
Register for this workshop as an add-on to your tise 2026 registration, here:
View more information and the complete schedule at: intlsurfaceevent.com. Questions about the program? Contact Rachel Lesczynski at Rachel.lesczynski@informa.com.
